Decomposition of volatile organic compounds and nitric oxide by nonthermal plasma discharge processes

Two types of nonthermal plasma processes such as pulsed corona discharge and dielectric barrier discharge were investigated for the decomposition of volatile organic compounds and nitric oxide. The performance equation of the plasma reactor was derived with the assumption that the decomposition rate of the pollutant is directly proportional to the concentration of the pollutant and the discharge power. From this model equation and the experimental decomposition data, the apparent decomposition rate constants of various organic compounds and nitric oxide were determined. Alkene and substituted alkene were found to have much larger decomposition rate constants than aromatics and substituted alkane compounds, which implies that the decomposition of the derivatives of aromatics and alkanes requires more energy. To verify the validity of the model derived, the experimental data in the present study and in the literature were compared with the calculation results, and relatively good agreements were achieved between them.